Hi guys and girls

I have a 2001 Fiat Punto 16v ELX and it seem impossible to align the wheels. I’ve had it done thrice to no avail. Originally, the steering wheel was ‘leaning” right, so I had it aligned, after which it was still leaning right. Then they redid it for free, but same thing. Then they redid the alignment a third time and now it’s just leaning left.

What could it be?

I’ve done some reading around the forum and some suggestions seem to indicate a bent subframe or trackrods. Could that be it? If so how do I check for it? The parts generally seem to be cheap enough and relatively easy to swap out - but where do I start?

Thanks in advance

Try a different garage.

If they can’t align it and they can’t tell you what’s wrong, they clearly don’t know what they are doing.

You’re probably right, just don’t really want to spend another whole day trying to hopelessly track the car. Anything I could check at home? My steering wheel does have a fair bit of play to be fair which I probably should have mentioned above.

SebastianBerko said:

You’re probably right, just don’t really want to spend another whole day trying to hopelessly track the car. Anything I could check at home? My steering wheel does have a fair bit of play to be fair which I probably should have mentioned above.

Click to expand...

Grip the left road wheel with your hands at '3 and 9'
When the wheel wriggles.. the steering wheel should also wriggle

Do the same on other side..

And 'slack' needs investigating


You can do basic tracking adjustments yourself

Thanks! I’ll give that a try later

I’ve made a video of the ‘slack’ (ignore the tractor-like diesel sound in the background). I have no knocks or bangs cornering, only some relatively mild squeaking going over bumps but I suspect that comes down to the handbrake cable needing a re-grease.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/DAXB1FMVgp2RH6gAA

Get a new set of anti roll bar bushes and a new set of drop links. Get them changed first, then go elsewhere and get the tracking redone.

Mk2 Punto doesn’t have drop links and not sure how anitroll bar bushes would affect tracking as the roll bar has nothing to do with tracking.

If there is a lot of play in the steering either you need a new steering rack or track rod ends. In any case this is the reason I said to take it to a different garage as they shouldn’t even have tried to track it if there is a lot of play in the steering, and they should have been able to tell you why there was play.

varesecrazy said:

You can do basic tracking adjustments yourself

Click to expand...

I spent a lot of time doing this on my car after changing the subframe and the steering wheel was not centred. The wheel is now centred and the tyres are not wearing but i am not convinced it is right. But i save 80 euro and I dont have to blaim somebody else for it not feeling right. I am sure the wheel was looser in the middle position before the sub frame was changed.

But as you say you can do some basic tracking yourself!